Faithfulness to the Local Church (Pastor Bunmi Ladipo) 15-02-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Hospital Chapel, National Hospital,

Central Business District,

Abuja, Nigeria

15th February, 2015

SERMON

* Topic: Faithfulness to the Local Church

* Speaker: Pastor Bunmi Ladipo

* The Common connotation people use for 'Church' is: "a group of Christians" or an association of believers in Jesus Christ

* The term 'Christian' was first mentioned in the Bible in Acts 11:26

☆ NOTE: Jesus himself never used the term "Christian" during his earthly Ministry to refer to His followers or disciples

* The original plan of God was for the believers in Jesus to live as a "community of light" in the dark world. He never intended for them to become 'religions' individuals fragmented into various isolated denominations

*Matthew 16:13-19

→ The Church is the gate of Heaven!

→ The Church is the place where men get access to the power of God

* The "Universal Church" is the community of ALL BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational affiliations, doctrinal beliefs or modes of worship

→ Jesus is the rallying point (of the Universal Church). He is the center of reference. He unites everything and everyone that belongs to "the Church"!

* The "Universal Church" transcends the common (mis)understanding of the Church as a building reserved for the religious worship of Christians

* One of the distinguishing characteristics of the "Universal Church" is that it is INVISIBLE. It cannot be seen with physical eyes

★ 2nd Timothy 2:19 → "However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”

* The members of the "Universal Church" are known only to God.

* Many (religious) Christians will be surprised on the judgment day when they see those whom God accepts as His own, while many of them are rejected and turned away

* The 9 (nine) Characteristics of the "Universal Church" are listed in Hebrews 12:22-24

★ Matthew 18:15-20

→ Christians must always learn to settle their differences & internal disputes without hurting the unity of the Church, thereby undermining the potency of the blood of Jesus

* Note: In the two instances the term "Church" was used in the Bible by Jesus, He gaves it authority to operate with supernatural power

→ Matthew 16:18

→ Matthew 18:17

* The minimum number (of persons) that can "form a Church" is two (2).

→ Matthew 18:19

* You must belong to a local Church before you can access the power that was promised by Jesus to the Church

* NOTE: the authority of Heaven (and earth) lies with the Church

* You cannot isolate yourself for any reason (as a believer) and still claim to be part of the community of believers (the Church)

* God's plan is for the local Church to be "territorial", and not "denominational". Thus, we find references to phrases is the Bible such as:

→ "the Church which was in Jerusalem" (Acts 4:22)

→ "the Church that was at Antioch" (Acts 13:1)

→ "the Church that is in their house" (Romans 16:5)

→ "the Churches of Galatia" (1st Corinthians 16:1)

→ "The Churches of Asia" (1st Corinthians 16:19)

→ etc.

* The purpose of God is that wherever the believers gather, they should take charge of that territory spiritually

→ Anyone who controls the spiritual realm also controls the physical territory!

* The Church is a community of different people with different backgrounds, beliefs, personalities, expectations and outlook:

⇒ We can be divided on opinions and doctrines, but as long as Jesus Christ is concerned, we MUST be united

* If the Church is united and in charge spiritually, it cannot be contradicted or undermined by any person, authority or power!

* Over time, the Church has lost its potency, and evil in our society has become entrenched, defying "the Church"

* Today, the Church has become divided along doctrinal lines and has become carnal and ineffective in meeting up with God's expectations

* The Church is meant to take charge of territories for Jesus, and not to be isolated/divided

* Christians are meant to always live together in unity and operate in the power of Jesus wherever they are found

→ Acts 4:32-34

* Satan knows that if he succeeds in dividing the Church, he can make it lose its power and place of authority

* The more fragmented, the Church is, the less potent and efficient it becomes

* Today, the Church and its Ministers have lost the respect of "the world" and have become an object of ridicule and political manipulation

* The major characteristic of the local Church is relationship (among believers)

☆ Marks of the Local Church:

1. "Ecclesia" → This is a Greek term which means "the assembly" of called out ones.

→ We were called by God to fellowship with his Son, Jesus our Lord (1st Corinthians 1:9)

* 1st John 1:1-3

→ The fellowship in a local assembly is a fellowship with Jesus Christ Himself

→ In other words, members of the Universal Church do not glorify any building, thing, doctrine or person above Jesus Christ!

2. "Koinonia" → This Greek term means "comminuion & joint participation."

→ It identifies the idealized state of relationship, fellowship and unity that should exist within the body of Christ (the Church).

* As we share together (as believers in Jesus), His blood becomes potent and that potency liberates us from the shackles of sin and the dark powers of Satan

☆ What the Church stands for:

★ Colossians 2:18-19

→ The Church grows together as one body in Jesus

★ Ephesians 4:1-16

* The Local Church is a place where every one is FUNCTIONAL - we are inter-dependent

→ As a believer in Jesus, you have a role to perform in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth, through the Church

* Note: in the human body, no part/ organ is inferior or less useful.

→ Similarly, Every believer is important and should be functional in the Church

* You have the responsibility to maintain the bond of peace (as a believer in Jesus)

* Things that must never be found in the Church:

→ envy, malice, fights, offences, backbiting, jealousy, gossip, sectionalism, unhealthy competition, grudges, etc

* It is unfortunate that many 'Christians' are ignorant of the mode of operation of Satan, and they offer themselves willingly to be used to undermine the unity of the body of Christ and disstabilise it for their own selfish purposes

* The Church of God does not operate by partiality or favoritism

→ The Church is the pillar of truth

 

                        ****************************

★ Quotes & Bits During the Service:

" When you serve God faithfully, He will take you to heights that you never imagined."

→ Dr. Jaff Momoh,

Chief Medical Director (CMD), National Hospital Abuja

★ Psalm 72:7

18 TRUTHS ABOUT GOD-GIVEN VISION

19 TRUTHS ABOUT GOD-GIVEN VISION

 

1. All God-given visions are 'revelatory' in nature

→ It is a product of divine inspiration

→ God can give you an idea that is capable of changing your life and the lives of others for good

→ If I am attentive enough, I will catch the vision God wants me to see

2. God-given visions are 'compulsive' in nature

→ I will never be genuinely at ease unless I discharge what God has put in your heart  

→ I can ignore or run away from God's call upon my life, but the compulsion will always be there

→ The fire of vision can motivate (heat up) my faith to ensure it materializes

→ Once you decide your direction, God will maintain your energy for the distance

→ There will always be a "strong desire" to make it happen. But if I ignore that desire long enough, It will naturally die  

 

3. Vision is transferrable

→ It is possible to 'pass on' the passion in my heart to others who can run with it

→ If I get others to believe in my vision, it can grow, multiply and eventually "out-live" me

→ I must be careful who I share my vision with [yes, vision can be stolen!] 

 

4. A God-given vision is "satisfying"

→ I cannot afford to waste my future being dissatisfied with myself every day

→ There will always be an unquenchable hunger, thirst and void in my life, unless I do what God has put in my heart

→ No amount of money (or the things money can buy) can satisfy the innate longing of fulfilling God's mandate for my life!    

5. All God-given visions and dreams are an investment, not an expenditure

→ Will I have a fulfilled life or would I just contribute to the wealth of the grave?

→ The more I trust God to help me fulfil the vision He has given me, the better I become, and others will benefit from it  

6. Do I know why am on earth?

→ God's will (for me) is manifested through the visions I have

→ The indicators of God's will for my life include: the things I am most passionate about; My Skills; My natural talents; and priceless opportunities  . . .

→ Jeremiah 1:5-10

→ Acts 9:15-16

→ Colossians 1:28

→ Luke 19:10

7. My vision is my future

→ My life is shaped by the visions I have

→ The quality of my life depends on the quality of my vision(s)

→ I need to write down every revelation and vision I receive from God, because my life depends on it (Habakkuk 2:2-3)  

8. Vision serves as a compass

→ It helps me find the direction of my future

→ As long as I have a viable vision, I will never 'get lost' in life

→ Having a vision gives me a defined destination

→ It takes me to the original purpose of God for my life

→ 2 Timothy 4:7

9. A vision helps me focus my energy (to do God's will)

→ Jeremiah 29:11

→ Having a vision helps me appropriate and maximize the (scarce) resources at my disposal

→ It helps me choose the relationships I invest in

10. A vision helps me to stay within my gift combination

→ Unless I do what I am endowed to do, my gifts, visions & dreams will be wasted

11. My vision will see me through tough times

→ The wells of Joy are often dug with spades of sorrow

→ Psalm 126:5-6
→ Vision has the capacity to fuel your hope and faith, even in the most challenging times

12. My vision will give me hope

→ Satan may steal everything from me but I will not let him steal my hope!

13. A vision is something to work by/with

→ A man who has no dreams, has no wings. He cannot fly
→ My vision is the raw material I can use to produce great things  

 

14. A written vision will help me live a selective life

→ Vision makes my life unique

→ Vision is personal

15. Vision helps my perception of myself and the future

→ He who never walks, except where he sees other people's footprint, will never make any new discoveries

16. My vision needs to be defined, acquired and applied

→ 1st Chronicles 4:9-10

17. Vision fuels my belief system

→ Hebrews 12:2

18. Having a defined vision is the best way to measure success

→ Some people feel like a failure even after successes because they did not define their vision well; some feel successful whereas, they are achieving below their God-given capacity

☆ PS:

I found this piece written behind my 1998 Sermon Notes jotter. I can't recall whether it was a sermon that I listened to, my own thoughts/personal study, or excerpts from some book I read. Regardless, I think it is worth sharing.

→ Panshak Haggai: 14th February, 2015

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 02-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki, Abuja - Nigeria

2nd February, 2015

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

* Topic: God with us

* What Kind of life has Jesus Come to Give?

★ John 6:33-35 →"The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they told him, “Sir, give us this bread all the time.” Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never become hungry, and whoever believes in me will never become thirsty."

* The life that Jesus has come to give us is a life of satisfaction

* What Physical Bread does to the body:

- nourishes

- energizes

- supports

- Sustains

- Creates the craving for more

* what bread does for the physical body, Christ's principles & words does for Our Souls

* Any man that comes to Jesus is Satisfied

* Some of those Principles:

1. He is the mediator between God and Man

★ 1st Timothy 2:5 →"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

→ There is no hope for a man who is not in Christ

2. He is our peace

★ Ephesians 2:14 → "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."

→ If you take away Christ, chaos will reign

3. He is our redeemer

★ Job 19:25 →"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."

4. He is our righteousness

★ 1st Corinthians 1:30 → "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

→ On our own, we cannot be right in God's eyes

5. He is the new & living way by we can approach the throne of mercy

★ Hebrews 10:20 → "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh."

→ Sometimes you find ourselves in a difficult situation and you don't know what to do, but He makes a Way out for you

* The man that does not have Christ, does not have peace

* That which the soul hungers, and thirsts after, only Jesus can provide

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 03-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ NDIC/DMO Chapel
Central Business District,
Garki, Abuja - Nigeria
03-02-2015

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu
* Topic: God with us

*Jesus is the only one that can give men genuine satisfaction

★ John 6:32-35

* Every man on earth needs this bread that only Jesus can give

★ John 4:10-15

* Jesus does not only give us bread to satisfy hunger, but He gives us to water of life to also quench our thirst

* A man without Jesus will always be hungry and thirsty in the soul - regardless of how wealthy that individual is

* The hope we have in Christ is the hope that does not make us ashamed (Romans 5:5)

★ John 5:26 → "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself."

→ It is God that appointed Jesus to give this life to men

* There are many things to know in the world; but do not know everything in the world without knowing Jesus!

★ John 6:27 → "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

→ Every thing on earth will perish, but only the truth in Jesus will endure for ever

* You must live like a solid, uncompromising Christian in the earth

★ John 6:40 →"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

* Eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ

* Those who live in sin will never enjoy eternal life

* Even today, Jesus is still lifting up people from crises and challenges

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 04-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District

Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

4th February, 2015

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

* Topic: God with us

* Real life can only be found in Christ Jesus

* How is this real, abundant life received?

→ It can only be received by believing in Christ

* Act 16 :29-31→ "The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved.”

* John 6:28-29 → "Then they asked him, “What must we do to perform God’s works?” Jesus answered them, “This is God’s work: to believe in the one whom he has sent.”

* 'Doing the work of God' entails believing in Jesus

* John 9:35-38 →" Jesus heard that they had thrown him out. So when he found him, he asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus told him, “You have seen him. He is the person who is talking with you.” He said, “Lord, I do believe,” and worshipped him."

* Many today claim that they believe Jesus, but they worship no one except themselves (the prevalence of the culture of self-centeredness)

* True belief causes you to worship the object of your belief

* Luke 8:49-50 →" While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s home and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Stop bothering the teacher anymore.” But when Jesus heard this, he told the synagogue leader, “Stop being afraid! Just believe, and she will get well.”

* The situation you are fencing may be bad, but shut your ears to what you are hearing, shut your eyes to what you are seeing or feeling, your situation will change only if you believe

* Anyone who is not in Christ is spiritually dead

* Luke 9:60 → "But he told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. But you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

* A man onside of Christ is dead, regardless of his/her material possessions or social status

* John 5:24 →"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

* John 6:47→ "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

MY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

→ Believing in Christ will cost you your doubts and unbelief. You have to discard them for your faith to be effective

God with us (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 11-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki-Abuja

11th February, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Owotumi

* Topic: God with us

 

★ Matthew 1:21 → "She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he is the one who will save his people from their sins.”

★ 1 Corinthians 14:33 → "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints."

* God wants us to order things right in our lives

* God is not the author of confusion - In the Matthew account (of Jesus Birth), the " naming Ceremony" came before the birth. There was no confusion!

* God does not make mistakes

* Get saved first, then You can benefit from His divine presence

★ Romans 6:1-3

* If You want to benefit from the presence of God, then you must follow the divine order

* You are saved by grace, and you must not take God's grace for grace

* Get Saved, before you call Immanuel. In fact, if you are clean, You do not need to struggle for His presence

* You must deal with the issue of Sin before you invite His presence

* Making heaven must be your priority

☆ Prayer:

Give me the life of Salvation. Transform my life.

God with us (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 10-02-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

10th February, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: God with us

* Matthew 1:21-25

* The story of our redemption is the story of love

 

★ John 3:16 → "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

* The wonderful story of love is the GOSPEL

* Perception is very key. The Israelites almost missed their destined promised land because of faulty perception

* As perception is key to you, it is also key to God

* Matthew 1:21 → "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

* God is not a confused person

* 1st Corinthians 14:33 → "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

* Everyone wants Jesus to be "Immanuel" to them, but He will not be Immanuel to everyone

* You cannot claim that Jesus is Immanuel to you if you are living in sin and disobedience

* The primary perception of God is that you will be saved from your sins first then you

* NOTE: Verse 21 comes before Verse 23 of Matthew 1. (The 'naming ceremony' came before the birth of the child, Jesus)

* Unless you know Jesus as Immanuel, and Saviour, the efficacy of His name will be lost to you

* First things first: Get salvation, then "Immanuel" will be applicable to you.

* "Immanuel" ( the abiding presence of God) does not work for sinners

* Your perception will determine what you get and how far you go

* Prayer:

"Father, deliver my soul;

Save me from sin;

Be "Immanuel" to me"

Growing Up (Rev. David Kwamkur) 01-02-2015

SUNDAY SERVICE

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

1st February, 2015

SERMON

* Speaker: Rev. David Kwamkur

* Topic: Growing Up

* Theme: Growing up in Christ

* Sub-Theme: Intentional Growth

* Service leader: Mr. Stephen Barthner

* Text: Hebrews 11:24-26

* The life of Moses began as a Journey of faith. (See: Exodus 3)

* Moses' parents demonstrated faith for the protection of their child even in the midst of danger

* You can destroy your future if you disregard your past.

* Parents have a significant role to play in the life of their children's spiritual growth and maturity

→ Note: Moses' parents were not afraid of the verdict of the Pharaoh. They trusted God to preserve their son

* One thing that is destroying many people today is fear

★ Matthew 10:28 → "Stop being afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell."

* If you are interested in growing deeper spiritually, you should study the life of Moses - His life Was a life of faith

* Benefits of Studying the life of Moses:

(a) It will help you understand that God is greater than every evil scheme or person in the world

(b) It will help you to focus on God, rather than on your circumstances

(c) It will help you understand that God is faithful and will never fail to keep His promises

→ The most dangerous thing you will ever do in life is to doubt God's faithfulness

→ Hold on to God until your situation changes

(d) It will help you let God work through you

→ God will not force you to do anything (including submitting to Him) that you don't want to do willingly

(e) It will help you realise that you are not an ordinary person

→ NOTE: You are the Child of the King of the Universe & you are important to God

* Moses made faith decisions:

→ if you are ever going to grow spiritually, you must walk by faith all the time

→ Children cannot make certain decisions on their own because they are immature

→ The quality of your decisions is an indication of your maturity (or immaturity)

→ If you do not know how to make decisions, other people will decide for you based on what they want for you

* Decisions You Must make if you want to grow in Christ:

1. Refusing the wrong

* Hebrews 11:24

→ It is not enough to know what is right or wrong, but you must be courageous enough to out-rightly refuse to do what is wrong in the sight of God

→ When faith comes into operation, your ability to recognize and refuse to do anything that is contrary to God's will is strengthened

* Examples of persons who refused to do what was wrong, even at the cost of their lives:

(a) Joseph refused to sleep with Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:9)

(b) The 3 Hebrew boys

* Daniel 3:12 → “Certain influential Jewish men whom you appointed to manage the city of Babylon — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—have neither paid attention to you, your majesty, nor served your gods. And they won’t worship the golden statue that you set up.”

* It did not make any (reasonable) sense why they would choose to disobey the King's express orders at the detriment of their political positions and even their lives

*NOTE: When faith is in operation, your reason is inactive.

(c) Daniel refused to obey a Royal ban on prayer→ Daniel 6:13

"Then they told the king, “Daniel, who is one of the Judean exiles, pays no attention to you, your majesty, or to the written decree, since he is still praying three times a day.”

(d) Peter and John refused to obey a decree not to preach in the name of Christ → (Acts 4:17-20)

- They did not allow themselves to be intimidated by the Jewish Council (the most powerful and influential entity in Israel at the time)

* You must always refuse to do the wrong thing, even when it is the most popular thing to do

* Nobody grows in Christ by doing the wrong thing

* If you don't want evil to multiply, you must always refuse to do what is wrong

* Don't follow your reason; follow your faith

* God is calling you to refuse anything that is contrary to your faith

2. You must choose to do what is right

→ It is Impossible to choose to do what is both right and wrong at the same time. You have to choose only one

* Sometimes, the right thing to do does not appeal to your reasoning, But you must always follow faith, rather than your reason

* You must be wise in making your decisions

* Always make decisions in the light of tomorrow and eternity

* Don't mortgage your tomorrow for the brief pleasures of today

* If you choose to be a believer/disciple of Jesus, You Must be willing to pay the price:

★ The cost of Discipleship

(Luke 14:25-33)

→ You must be willing to cut links with your family and loved ones, if need be (verse 26)

→ You must carry His cross (verse 27)

→ give up everything for the sake of Christ (verse 33)

* A person who is not a faithful disciple of Christ cannot enter His kingdom in eternity

* Making the right decision would always cost you something (time, privileges, relationships, possessions, advantages, certain pleasures, your life, etc.)

3. You must run away from any appearance of wrong/evil

→ Running away from evil does not mean you are a coward

* Temporal things are just temporal - they will not last

* Amos 5:14-15 →"Pursue good and not evil, so that you may live, and this is what will happen: The LORD God of the Heavenly Armies will be with you, as you have been claiming. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in court— perhaps the LORD, the God of the Heavenly Armies, will be gracious to the survivors of Joseph.’

* Titus 2:11-12 →"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions so that we might live sensible, honest, and godly lives in the present age."

→ As a Christian, God expects you to always renounce all forms of ungodliness

→ Renunciation must be total: You're not expected to go back to something you have renounced already

→ It is the by the grace of God that you are able to renounce every act of ungodliness, not by your own power or will

★ 2nd Timothy 2:19 →"However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”

→ Departing from evil is a prerequisite for serving God faithfully and effectively

* 2nd Timothy 3:1-5

→ People that have a form of godliness but deny its power must be "quarantined" from your life before they infect and pollute you too

* 2nd Timothy 2:22

→ "Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart."

* Mark 8:36 →"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

→ It is foolish to mortgage your life and eventually loose/destroy your soul

* Romans 8:17 →"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

→ There is an eternal glory that comes after our temporal sufferings here on earth

* Look beyond your senses and depend or your faith

* If you have faith, you have everything!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

MISSION CHARGE

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming"

→ Ephesians 4:14

QUOTES

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety".

→ George Mueller

"Sadness takes you away from true worship of the Lord."

→ Rev. David Kwamkur

"Satan will always make you feel that there is no reason to be happy. He will give you reasons to be angry at everyone, everything and even at yourself."

→ Rev. David Kwamkur

God with us (Pastor J. K. Abiodun) 28-01-2015

NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki-Abuja, Nigeria

28th January, 2015

* Speaker: Pastor J. K. Abiodun

* Topic: God with us

* Luke 1:31-35

* Matthew 1:20-23 →" But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

* Psalm 40:6-8

* Jesus came principally to do the will of God

* Do You know the purpose for which You were sent on earth?

* Hebrews 10:5

→ Jesus came as an atonement for our sins so that we do not have to sacrifice bulls

* John 10:10 →"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

→ Jesus came to neutralize the works of Satan in our lives

* Jesus has come to bring life

* John 17:3 →"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

* He has made us to pass from death to life

★ John 1:4-5

- Jesus has come to bring light into the world & our lives

* Isaiah 60: 1-3

* The coming of Jesus has ushered the qlory of God

* 1st Peter 2:6-10

* NOTE: The same Jesus that is the Cornerstone is also a stumbling block to those who are disobedient

God with us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 27-01-2015

NDlC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki, Abuja - Nigeria

 

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu  

* Topic: God with us

* 27th January, 2015

★ WHY JESUS CAME

* John 10:10 →"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

* Jesus came to give us life

- What is life?

- What kind of life?

1. Life is the force, energy & power of being

- Anyone that lacks that Cannot be said to be alive

2. life Is the opposite of death/perishing

- It is the Cessation of destruction & death

* John 5:24 →"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

* NOTE: The cessation of death and decay can only be through Jesus

3. The life that Jesus gives is eternal

* Genesis 3:22 →" And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever."

* Eternal life Was deprived Adam & Eve because of their sins

* John 17:3 → "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

* Many people today are holding on to Something that is false and will not give them eternal life - they will be disappointed in the end

* Every soul will live eternally (both Saints & Sinners)

* The Kind of eternal life Jesus is speaking about & offering is not one of duration, but one of quality and bliss

4. This eternal life is found only in Christ. No one else.

*1st John 1:2 →" (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)"

* John 1:4-5 →"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

* There is no two-way about It: outside Christ, there is no life

★ PRAYER:

"I want this eternal life;

Give me your eternal life;

let nothing deprive me of it"

God wth us (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 26-01-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

* NDIC/DMO Chapel

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

26th January, 2015

 

★ SERMON

* Topic: God with us

* Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu    

* Text: Matthew 1:23 → "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

* NOTE: "The virgin will be with child" and not miscarry or experience any other misfortune in the process of pregnancy

* WHY DID JESUS COME?

* In a broad sense, Jesus came for one reason: Jesus came to do His Father's will

★ Psalm 40:6-8 → " Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

★ Hebrews 10:1-14

* The blood of bulls and sheep cannot wash away the sins of men

(Hebrews 10:4)

* To make atonement for our sins, Jesus gave His own body

* Three (3) things that Jesus Did freely (voluntarily):

(a) He freely gave Himself as an atonement for our sins

(b) He chose to do so

(c) He fulfilled prophesy

 

★ Psalm 40:7 → "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me"

★ Hebrews 10:7 → "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."

* There are things that are written about you in the Scriptures and it is left to you to trust God for the fulfilment of those prophesies and promises

* A knowledge of the promises of God will constrain you from sinning or going astray

REASONS WHY JESUS CAME:

(1) Jesus came to give abundant life & destroy the works of Satan into lives of men 

★ John 10:10

God's love (Leader's Meeting) (Pastor 'Lola Owotumi) 21-01-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel

Leaders' Meeting

Wednesday, 21st January, 2015

EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Pastor 'Lola Owotumi

* Topic: God with us (God's Love)

★ 1st Thessalonians 4:9 → "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."

* When you are convinced that God loves you, you will not be cheated by Satan

★ Isaiah 43:1-2, 4 → " But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. . . Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life."

* There is absolutely nothing that God cannot do for those who love Him

* Because you love God and He loves you, you should be bold enough to flaunt that love everywhere you go, publicly

* You must respond to God's love by a definate commitment to righteous living. In other words, you should reciprocate the love God is extending to you

* Do not take God 's Iove for granted

* Love the body of Christ (the Church)

* Those who are committed to serving God because they love Him, will be set apart for the demonstration of His grace & glory